My horse hates contact

[RockyB]

Last week I bought a lovely 12 years old gelding. I think he is the best horse in the whole world but there is one thing that is driving me (and him) crazy.
He is such a good buy, we can do all kinds of ground work. The only "small" problem is, he hates being on the bit. He starts biting his bit and he seems really nervous when he gets his head down. Most of the time he just acts like a horsiraffe (horse+giraffe), head high in the air.
I had his teeth checked (all ok), he had a chiropractor and equine acupuncture. His back was slightly sore.
I bought a new saddle (Kentaur Elektra) and ordered three different bits (Happy mouth and sweet iron). Until now he was only ridden with french link snaffle bit. I got a new anatomical bridle.

I would really like your opinion on the subject. What could be wrong? I will try different bits in a couple of days when I can ride him again.

Thank you,

Maja

 

[DirectorFury]

Did you have him vetted? And has your new saddle been fitted to him? How was he in the contact when you tried him before you bought him?

It could ‘just’ be tension and him adjusting to a new riding style, but equally it could be something physical that’s making him uncomfortable.

 

[scats]

If he’s fighting and chomping, he’s not on the bit. You mention having his head ‘down’, are you trying to put his head down/get him on the bit?

I would ensure physical checks are done, teeth etc (which you have done) and correct fitting and type of bit for his mouth and then enlist the help of a good instructor to assess the way you are riding. It might be that he’s not strong enough yet to accept a contact for longer periods of time or he is being asked too strongly via the rein.

 

[Red-1]

Usually this just means that the horse doesn't know how to escape the pressure. I have seen horses like this make huge improvements in just a few sessions, or even Justine session with a fab-u-lous rider.

I would start on the floor with a halter, teaching how to yield without the mental baggage of a bit. The rider/handler can then learn the nuances of pressure/release and feel. I would start by helping the horse to understand to lower the head until the nose touches the floor, but it is by subtle pressure/release not by pulling the head to the floor. I have typed out a huge response to a similar query before, but TBH, a great trainer would help better.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I feel your pain! Toby does not like bit pressure. Well actually he does, but only the right bit with the precise amount of pressure that he likes and that is uber-consistent. If my fab instructor gets on he reaches for the bit and works forward into it. But when I get on I fiddle or am inconsisten or have a backward hand or annoy him in one way or another. And he instantly lets me know by throwing his head up my nostrils. I am having to learn to ride better which in the end is the best outcome for both of us. I played around with about 10 bits before finding one that suited him. But I used my instructor to ride him in the different bits so I could make sure my cr@p riding was not in the equation! Good luck.

 

[Bernster]

Interesting AE, I’d love to hear how you get on.

Current loan mare is also part giraffe. Will share what I’m doing in case it helps but the main issue is ensuring nothing physical is going on, then ensuring your horse has the muscle/fitness etc to work right, and riding them right. Not easy and it can take time, as I keep reminding myself!

Working through various things to help, obv starting with the usual basic MOT - saddle, tack, physio, and I need to get her teeth done too. And a combination of strengthening and supplying work - hacks, pole work, schooling. Regular lessons and getting my trainer to ride as well. We don’t worry where her head or neck is (it’s usually up my nose!) and I don’t ‘try’ to get her on the bit (that makes it worse in fact). It’s more a case of getting her working over her back end, bending, and kind of offering the rein down and forward to see if she’d like to drop her head and take the contact. Hard to describe im afraid! I’m still finding the buttons and def haven’t cracked it but I feel like I’m on the right path.

 

[RockyB]

Thanks so much for you help. To answer your questions, his teeth and his back, his legs, everything is fine. I knew he was having trouble getting on the bit before I bought him but I bought him anyway and I do not regret it.

When we do ground work, he puts his head down to the floor without pulling. We do carrot stretching on every side and in between legs. As I said, everything is fine except when I ride him. He just wont accept the contact, even with longer reins. The second I get on him and he feels the reins he turns into a giraffe. And when he puts his head down he just starts chomping the bit and shakes and nods his head.

Maybe he was ridden the wrong way before. Dont know. Maybe he needs to bulild more muscles on the back. Or the bit is not right for him.
Or he is resisting any kind of pressure when he is being ridden.

 

[Cob Life]

I feel your pain! Toby does not like bit pressure. Well actually he does, but only the right bit with the precise amount of pressure that he likes and that is uber-consistent. If my fab instructor gets on he reaches for the bit and works forward into it. But when I get on I fiddle or am inconsisten or have a backward hand or annoy him in one way or another. And he instantly lets me know by throwing his head up my nostrils. I am having to learn to ride better which in the end is the best outcome for both of us. I played around with about 10 bits before finding one that suited him. But I used my instructor to ride him in the different bits so I could make sure my cr@p riding was not in the equation! Good luck.

This is blue 100%.

But also OP if you’re the first one asking him to work from behind and over his back he won’t be strong enough, you need to build it up gradually to get the strength. I’ve been working on it for a year now with blue, first just getting him to accept a light contact and be more obedient to my aids, then working from being and over his back more. He’s just getting strong enough to be able to work correctly for more that a few strides at a time.

 

[scats]

How I would ride him in this situation is with a gentle but consistent contact, for the time being not worrying where his head actually is, but just concentrating on keeping that feeling the same down the rein. You want to feel he’s there, but not in a heavy or fiddly way. If he chews or chomps, just keep your hand consistent (but not fixed) Sometimes fussy horses almost encourage you to Chuck the contact at them, but in reality they need you to stay as consistent as possible.
Then concentrate on rhythm, getting him forwards and in front of the leg and suppleness.

 

[paddi22]

can you hack him? I get a lot of these style horses in as I retrain ex harness horses, when I get ones in like this in I start by hacking them. I start with a very very loose contact but I still have a feel. most will start with their head in the air, but they all gradually relax down at some stage. when their heads in the air I don't pull back or full, I just have a consistent following hand. 99% will drop their heads quickly enough unless they are hyper spooky. it's good if you can find a steep hill long hill and walk him up it, as most horses will naturally stretch down and forward after a while. Then I just work on establishing the feel so that I have a contact and connection to the horses mouth, just a very soft gentle contact that is moving with them in the walk. I spend as long as I need doing that until the horse trusts my hands and accepts a consistent feel. then you can start taking more of a contact after a few sessions, but I'd do it very gradually.

 

[paddi22]

have you ruled out it being a contact issue on your side? what's he like if your instructor is on him?

 

[Fluffypiglet]

Mine doesn't like a metal bit and is much improved in a gel bit (nathe type but longer lasting). We initially put him in an old fashioned rubber snaffle and it was the first time he completely sought the contact. I couldn't stop him in it mind (!) and they are thick and can rub their mouths if they are dry but it gave us the idea to try other better non metal bits for him.

 

[Fluffypiglet]

Mine doesn't like a metal bit and is much improved in a gel bit (nathe type but longer lasting). We initially put him in an old fashioned rubber snaffle and it was the first time he completely sought the contact. I couldn't stop him in it mind (!) and they are thick and can rub their mouths if they are dry but it gave us the idea to try other better non metal bits for him

ETA I know some of the issue is me fiddling but this bit gives him a much more stable feeling so he can cope whilst I try and improve!

 

[Regandal]

Rather than spend loads on trying different bits, I’d get a bitfit person out. To ensure that he is comfortable in his mouth before asking for more when schooling.

 

[Maesto's Girl]

You ideally want your horse to seek the contact - so essentially you just keep your hands still and your horse uses the energy from its hind to push forward into the bridle. I would get a bit fit consultant out - they are very helpful! What cheekpiece are you currently using? Sometimes poll pressure can cause a horse to try and evade the bit - so something like a hanging cheek (which actually RELIEVES pressure contrary to belief) can be beneficial.

If the bit is fine and all medical checks are fine, it's more than likely a strength thing. It's super hard work for them to work from behind and push through the bridle so if too much is done too soon, they can become 'bridle lame' and nod, or indeed raise their heads. I am currently going through this with my mare. I am doing a lot of polework to encourage a stretch, and also, riding her forwards whilst keeping my hands super still which makes the bridle more inviting. Take it slow, and when they finally seek the contact, praise them, and give a small release with the hand before starting again

Good luck!

 

[Renvers]

I think a Bit fitting specialist would be a good idea. I struggled with my new horse being fussy in the contact. The HBF consultant had an array of bits and really seemed to understand the anatomy of the horse's head and we found a bit my horse really liked.

I would also suggest working with your instructor on how you ask for contact, they could see how the horse responds from the ground. That different viewpoint might give you an insight into what is different from ground work to ridden.